Terminals exclusively for private buses?

Private bus operators have demanded exclusive terminals for their vehicles at five locations on the outskirts of Pune, claiming that this will benefit commuters from across the state and reduce traffic congestion in the city.

Road hogs: Buses illegally parked on Padmavati bridge. File Pic

Traffic cops have also supported the concept of decentralisation of state transport and private bus operations. Now, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) commissioner Mahesh Pathak is expected to take a call on divvying land for terminals at areas including Katraj, Wagholi and Aundh.

Additional city engineer of PMC Vivek Kharwadkar said, “The proposal of allocating land for bus terminals at various locations is still being discussed. The transporters have submitted their demands and commissioner Mahesh Pathak will take an appropriate decision in this regard.”

“There will be initial resistance from some people. But the civic should take a call regarding this as early as possible. The move will help spread out operations of buses run by state transport body and private operators and ease traffic conditions on internal roads of the city,” deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vishwas Pandhare said.

Maharashtra State Goods and Passenger Transport Organization’s president Baba Shinde said, “Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has allocated 100 acres of land for an exclusive bus terminus. We think PMC should follow suit. Private bus owners are also prepared to pay a certain amount for using the space on a daily basis.”

“Nearly 40 thousand passengers commute to and from Pune daily via 800 private buses. If private buses, along with other modes of transport, including city buses, auto rickshaws, taxis, etc come under one roof, it would certainly benefit commuters,” he added.